Class: Introduction to Spinning

July 31, August 7, 14, and 21(Fridays) | 6:00-8:00 | $125 | Materials Included

The price of the class is $125, due within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first). In addition there is a $200 refundable materials deposit for the spinning wheels, hand carders, and drop spindle that you will be taking home for practice. The refundable deposit can be paid on the first day of class and your check will be returned to you upon return of the materials after the end of class.

Class Description:

This is a 4 week basic spinning class. Participants will learn about different types of fibers and preparation from grease wool straight off the sheep through highly processed roving. You will learn how to wash grease wool, card it, and then spin it on a drop spindle and a spinning wheel.

Week 1: We will discuss fibers and their characteristics that help determine the resulting yarns. Everyone will work with a drop spindle and learn about drafting triangles and how to control the diameter of their yarns. Participants will also begin to spin on a spinning wheel. Home work will consist of practicing on the drop spindle, treadling, and spinning on the wheel.

Week 2: Everyone will swap their spinning wheel with someone in the class. By the end of the 4 week class, you have spun on 4 different wheels! We will continue working with drop spindles and the spinning wheels. We will discuss working with shorter fibers, blending fibers, and spinning ratios. Home work is continued practice on the drop spindle and the wheel.

Week 3: We will set aside the drop spindles and continue with the spinning wheels after swapping wheels. This week we will work on plying techniques: 2 ply, Navajo 3 ply, 4 ply cabling, bouclé, etc. We will also begin discussions of spinning and plying with colors. Homework: keep spinning and plying!

Week 4: Last wheel trade! We will explore the different effects of spinning yarns with fibers colored at different points of the spinning process using different techniques such as carding in colors, adding them during the spinning process, and the effects of plying.

By the end of the 4 week class, you will be able to process fiber, spin and ply yarns. We will discuss the history of spinning, characteristics of different fibers for spinning, and the care and feeding of spinning wheels. The cost of the course is $125 for 4 weeks plus a $200 refundable deposit for the use of the spinning wheel, drop spindle, and hand carders that you will be taking home for practice. The deposit will be refunded at the end of the class if all the equipment is returned in the same condition they were in at the beginning of the class. Or the deposit can be put toward a new or used wheel, including one of the wheels from the class. 4 to 8 oz each of grease wool, washed wool, roving and carded batts will be provided. Additional materials will be available for purchase.

Classes do fill up early; so please reserve your space in the class by paying in advance as it is unlikely we will be able to accommodate walk-ins. Payment is required within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first). All classes limited to five people unless otherwise stated. A minimum of 2 students is required for most classes to take place. If the minimum for a class is not reached, we will cancel or reschedule the class and a full refund will be given. Individual classes/lessons available by request (prices may vary). Homework is required in most of our classes; we know that all of you have busy schedules but please be sure to allow time to finish the work needed for classes.